Motor City thrashers BATTLECROSS are currently out on the road with Crowbar and Lord Dying on “The Summer of Doom Tour” in support of their forthcoming release “Rise to Power”! The tour has been a career highlight for the band and the legendary sludge metallers Crowbar have really taken a liking to the band.

Today the band unleashes another scorching track from “Rise To Power”. Loudwire is exclusively premiering the song entitled “Spoiled”.

Guitarist Tony Asta spoke about the track:

“‘Spoiled’ kicks in with a heavy rockin old-school vibe and progresses into a brutal more technical feel. It’s also a really fun song to jam. The subject matter and lyrics of “Spoiled” were inspired by the dependency on modern technology, more specifically the cyber world. An entire generation thrives from its use but does not know what it was like before the internet existed. It IS a great tool, although the magnitude of its impact on our everyday lives sometimes gives me the chills. This is the only song I had a hand in writing lyrics for and you can thank the “phone-gazing zombies” for it.”

Additionally the first song from “Rise to Power”, “Not Your Slave”, is streaming at metalblade.com/battlecross. “Rise to Power” will be released worldwide on Metal Blade Records on August 21st, 2015. The record was produced by Jason Suecof, and mixed/mastered by Mark Lewis at Audiohammer Studios. Cover art was completed by Hungarian artist Péter Sallai (Sabaton, Sacred Steel).

The Summer of Doom is the first tour for BATTLECROSS since finishing the production for “Rise to Power”, their third Metal Blade release. The tour also puts an end to the band’s search for a permanent drummer, with bay area’s Alex Bent now firmly in place behind the kit. After performing with the band on two 2014 headliners and in South America, Alex officially joined and tracked drums for the new album.

BATTLECROSS will also appear at the 2015 Heavy MTL in Montreal on August 8th.

BATTLECROSS’ previous album, “War of Will,” debuted at #134 on the Billboard Top 200 chart upon its release in July of 2013. This was the band’s first ever Billboard chart debut! “War of Will”also peaked at #3 on the US iTunes metal chart on the day of release.

Comments Off on BATTLECROSS Premiere New Song “Spoiled” Via Loudwire Killing it On The Road With Crowbar and Lord Dying!

Celebrating their tenth year as a band in 2015, Northern Virginia-based KING GIANT has completed their thundering third LP, Black Ocean Waves, set for release this Summer.

With their brooding, doom-drenched take on Southern rock/metal, KING GIANT has been rendering their woeful, rousing tales of heartfelt loss and ruthless resolution through their songcraft since 2005, and has built a solid reputation as a diehard internal workforce through handling the recording and releasing of their own gravelly anthems since their inception. Their 2006 Burden EP was followed by the self-released 2009 LP, Southern Darkness, which won over stoner/doom rockers everywhere with its vibrant approach to the genre. But it was the Dismal Hollow LP released in 2012 that launched the band into a more accessible, but more sinister territory, reaping critical acclaim from internationally-based mags and webzines.

2015 brings KING GIANT?s third full-length album, proudly celebrating a decade in existence as they prepare to unleash the wayward grooves of Black Ocean Waves. Forty-five minutes of bold, ominous, organic, and accessible material pours fourth on Black Ocean Waves, the new opus surging with eight ebbing torrents of regret, shame, revenge, and reconciliation. KING GIANT recorded in July 2014 at Magpie Cage Studios in Baltimore, Maryland, the album engineered by Jawbox architect, J. Robbins (Clutch, The Sword, Wino) who later mixed the album. Robbins also performed Hammond organ on the track, ?Blood Of The Lamb,? and background vocals on ?Trail Of Thorns.? The cover art for Black Ocean Waves, created by Misty Kilgore. . The band plans to independently release the album in June on CD, digitally distributed by The Path Less Traveled, with an LP version to follow.

Candlelight Records today confirms June 16th as the North American release date for A Dracula, the second full-length album from Las Vegas-based doom metal band, DEMON LUNG. Produced by Billy Anderson (Neurosis, High On Fire, Eyehategod etc.).

In mid-December, DEMON LUNG began their second pilgrimage to Oregon to work with Anderson. At the journey?s conclusion, eight dark hymns became A Dracula?s storyline. Using Juan López Moctezuma?s 1977 horror film, Alucarda, as the album?s muse, the audio is packaged with unique original art by illustrator Joshua Foster (Pallbearer). Drummer Jeremy Brenton notes, ?When we started the writing process, we happened to be deep into an Alucarda obsession. [Vocalist] Shanda [Fredrick] sat down and made an outline for her take on the film and we all started crafting songs to flow with it. Fitting the mood of each riff and melody with the narrative was challenging but it is the most satisfying way for us to write.?

Fredrick adds, ?Alucarda is a more relatable story for me than our last album?s subject matter; which made writing a lot more fun this time around. The heroine in this story is the daughter of Satan, who happens to fall in love with the purest of souls in the convent she resides. She coaxes this soul over to the dark, with only intentions of love but in doing so she dooms her to death by the hands of the nuns. The anger consumes her and she uses her dark powers to resurrect her love and together they kill the convent and then the world. So like I said? it?s a lot more fun this time around.?

A Dracula comes nearly two years to the date from the successful release of the band?s debut, 2013?s The Hundredth Name. ?A modern doom masterpiece,? said Ghost Cult. ?The future of doom seems to be in safe hands,? uttered This Is Not A Scene. ?Everything about DEMON LUNG?s debut screams epic,? voiced Las Vegas Weekly. The Hundredth Name perfectly set up A Dracula with a growing and healthy international fan base to launch from.

?While we naturally continued where we left off with The Hundredth Name,? shares Brenton, ?this album is definitely faster, definitely more epic. We spent twice as much time in the studio with Billy than we did last time and we had more time to experiment. This was certainly the hardest we have ever worked on anything and we?re very proud of the final product.?

Formed in 2011, DEMON LUNG self-released their EP, Pareidolia, in early 2012. The band joined the Candlelight roster and unleashed The Hundredth Name a year later. The album featured artwork by English illustrator Tom Gates (Amorphis, Vision Of Disorder etc). Media applauded the band, especially Fredrick with Decibel Magazine gushing, ?She emerges like a high empress, adding real soul to the quintet?s lurch.? An aggressive regional performer, the band recently signed with Tone Deaf Touring to broaden their touring endeavors.

DEMON LUNG is Shanda Fredrick and Jeremy Brenton with guitarists Phil Burns and Brent Lynch and bassist Jason Lamb. Tour dates in support of A Dracula will be announced shortly.

(June 26, 2015 – Baltimore, MD) – The ambient-metal group Mind Like Mirrors has released a new music video for their song “Monuments” complete with flaming instruments. Premiering with *HEAVY Magazine*, “Monuments” is the third single off the band’s upcoming EP Metanoia (release date TBA). The clip was directed by David Borges and was shot in various areas of the group’s home state of Maryland.

?This song is probably one of the best testaments to the meaning of our EP Metanoia. A changing of one?s mind, heart, self, or way of life, is something we chose to express visually with our track Monuments. While the song carries a different meaning for each band member, the message remains the same. You are not alone.? Peter Austin (clean vocals)

About Minds Like Mirrors:Minds Like Mirrors. The product of 2 years in the making. An ambient/metal style of music with something unique to bring to the genre. We’re not going to tell you who we may or may not sound like because honestly we wouldn’t know. But, we do know that after pouring every ounce of ourselves into this music the sound you’ll come to know us for is our own personal reflection of the human spirit.

Starting out here in Baltimore MD, we aspire to do more, to travel, and to give our music purpose. We appreciate and thank everyone who has supported us over these years, yet we find now it is time to prove our worth. With our upcoming music releases and show performances in the MD/VA/DC area we look forward to showing you what this music is truly all about.

Comments Off on Minds Like Mirrors Turn up the Heat in “Monuments” Music Video

The debut album by Next To None, “A Light in the Dark” is out today, June 29th on InsideOut Music. The album features 9 songs of intense Progressive metal with Max Portnoy on drums, Ryland Holland on guitar, Kris Rank on bass, and Thomas Cuce on keyboards and lead vocals.

The album is already receiving great reviews:

“It’s not brilliant because of someone having a famous father. It’s brilliant because it’s just about the best Prog Metal album released so far this year, and on so many levels that is incredible.”Maximum Volume Music, 9.5/10

“If you want something to bang your head to, this is it.”The Prog Report
The band just released a lyric video for the album’s epic closer “Blood On My Hands.”

Vocalist/keyboardist Thomas Cuce had this to say about the track:

“At the time [I wrote the lyrics] it seemed like every day there was a different person going crazy somewhere and shooting up a building or whatever, and I would ask my self ‘Why does this keep happening? What was that person thinking? What led them to do this?’ So I tried to put myself in this person’s head. I created a character and started from the aftermath of the event, which is where we first hear about it in the news.” Of the song’s extended arrangement, he says, “It took us months to write this song and then months to learn it. We had a big dry erase board that we used to chart out all the parts with the time signatures until we had them memorized.”

You can see the lyric video here:

Check out Next To None’s EPK video here:

‘A Light in the Dark’ also features guest appearances on the track “A Lonely Walk” from Bumblefoot on guitar (Guns N Roses) and Prog legend Neal Morse on Mellotron.

‘A Light in the Dark’ tracklist:

1. The Edge Of Sanity

2. You Are Not Me

3. Runaway

4. A Lonely Walk

5. Control

6. Lost

7. Social Anxiety

8. Legacy

9. Blood On My Hands

Digital-only bonus tracks:

10. Fortune Cookie

11. Deafening

Comments Off on NEXT TO NONE debut “A Light in the Dark” Out Today, June 29th!

Billboard chart-topping rap duo TWIZTID recently wrapped up their ?Back To Hell: The Darkness Tour?! Today, TWIZTID is revealing a very special upcoming Frightfest performance as part of Rock and Shock 2015, taking place the weekend of October 16, 17, and 18 at DCU Center and Worcester Palladium in Worcester, MA. TWIZTID will headline the Frightfest portion of the performance line-up, with support from Blaze, Boondox, Prozak, Wolfpac, Scum, and Kissing Candice.

Additional Rock and Rock 2015 performing artists include Hatebreed, Soulfly, Sanctuary, Soilwork, and others. Get your tickets now at http://rockandshock.com!

Rock and Shock is a three day horror and music convention featuring celebrity signings, movie screenings, concerts, panels and more. Now in its 12th year, Rock and Shock has played host some of the biggest names in horror and rock. Previous Rock and Shock performers include Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Gwar, Misfits, Insane Clown Posse, Meshuggah, Type O Negative, Turbonegro, Mushroomhead, Wednesday 13, God Forbid, DevilDriver, The Haunted and others.

TWIZTID recently announced the upcoming release of an exclusive double limited edition red vinyl version of their highest-charting album of all time, W.I.C.K.E.D. Due to the album now being owned by the group?s new label, Majik Ninja Entertainment, TWIZTID is able to release this via their website.

TWIZTID?s most recent album, The Darkness, debuted on the Billboard Top 200 charts at #29, marking their 11th album debut on the chart. The Darkness marks the group?s first Billboard debut since the launch of Majik Ninja Entertainment.

Comments Off on TWIZTID Announces FRIGHTFEST Performance at ROCK AND SHOCK 2015

“We are really excited about our second album coming out and are looking forward to finally getting some BLACK TRIP dates in Europe under our belt!” – Peter Stjärnvind

“Making this album was a real trip and to take it out on the road and finally play for our fans will be a blast” – Joseph Tholl

BLACK TRIP are back and they are on a mission! Their first all-killer-no-filler album Goin’ Under released in 2014 (2013 in Scandinavia) was soaked in the true spirit of the NWOBHM and showed that great heavy metal music still can be made. With bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon, Thin Lizzy and 70’s era Scorpions amongst their influences BLACK TRIP really paid both homage and respect to the classic metal sound that runs through the veins of every metal head, and yet they have their own distinct sound and direction.

Now, two years on from that critically acclaimed debut they are about to release their second album Shadowline, which vocalist Joseph Tholl describes as “a bigger, more diverse and more personal album, but still dark, heavy metal rock”. Guitarist Peter Stjärnvind adds “the album whilst heavy is also groovy and catchy and just makes you feel happy in a really good way”.

Joseph – “When Goin’ Under was being shaped it was basically just me and Peter. But during that time we got offered gigs here in Sweden before we even had a band, so very quickly we had to get the other guys on board so we could play these gigs and record the album. Me and Jonas (Wikstrand – Drums) didn’t know the other guys that well so we’ve all been on this journey, getting to know each other and growing together as a band. We all love heavy metal, that’s the common bond that binds us, but we all have our different tastes and different musical backgrounds because me and Jonas are from a different musical generation than Peter, Sebastian and Johan. With the writing and recording of Shadowline we have grown together and it really feels like we have become a band now. We’ve influenced each other and we’ve begun to understand what our potential is, what we can do and what we can’t do. Every band member has contributed in one way or another to the shaping of this album and following on from what we did on Goin’ Under this was a very natural step for us. With the first album we were establishing the foundations of our sound, now with Shadowline we have started to build the framework of the band.”

Speaking about the influences for Shadowline it’s clear the whole process isn’t an exact science for BLACK TRIP. Peter doesn’t plan the songs, he just lets the mood take him and whatever comes out comes out. Two bands he has listened to constantly during this time are Geordie, particularly the album “Don’t Be Fooled by the Name”and Blue Öyster Cult. “It’s all about those little details and feelings that just blow you away!” says Peter enthusiastically.

Shadowlinewas recorded and mixed by Nicke Andersson (Entombed, Hellacopters, Imperial State Electric) at his studio The Honk Palace in February/March 2015. All being fans of his bands and his musical taste and approach to sound, they felt he was someone they could trust to get the very best in the studio. The recording went really smoothly and Andersson has definitely captured the sound and feel of the essence of what Black Trip are all about. Joseph – “Nicke was totally on our wave-length from the start and during the recording process it felt like he was more or less one of us.” Peter -“His all round input was just great. He would suggest simple things like going from a 4/4 time to double time on the hi-hat to give that extra drive. He really brings the best out of you in the studio and recording guitar solos with him was a delight. He is always encouraging you to do your best”.

The new album Shadowline will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in North America on September 4th as Digipak CD & Colored Vinyl LP and Digital Download.

Track Listing Digipak:

1. Die With Me 04:12

2. Danger 04:56

3. Shadowline 03:57

4. Berlin Model 32 04:09

5. Over The Worldly Walls 03:52

6. Clockworks 03:54

7. Rooms 00:46

8. Subvisual Sleep 03:04

9. Sceneries 03:28

10. The Storm 05:23

11. Coming Home 03:30

Track Listing Vinyl Version

Side 1

1. Die With Me 04:12

2. Danger 04:56

3. Shadowline 03:57

4. Berlin Model 32 04:09

5. Over The Worldly Walls 03:52

Side 2

1. Clockworks 03:54

2. Rooms 00:46

3. Subvisual Sleep 03:04

4. Sceneries 03:28

5. The Storm 05:23

6. Coming Home 03:30

To coincide with the release of the new album BLACK TRIP will finally hit the road for their first European tour dates outside of Sweden, something the band are hugely excited about.

Deaf Forever and Rocks present BLACK TRIP live 2015

18.09. D-Flensburg – Roxy

19.09. D-Hamburg – Knust

20.09. D-Berlin – K17

22.09. D-Munich – Garage Deluxe

23.09. D-Tannheim – Schwarzer Adler

24.09. D-Mannheim – 7er Club

25.09. D-Rheine – Hypothalamus

26.09. D-Bochum – Matrix/Rockpalast

27.09. B-Vorselaar – Secrets Of Metal Festival

28.09. D-Cologne – Underground

Comments Off on BLACK TRIP To Release Shadowline September 4th in North America on SPV/Steamhammer

Ready to embark on their first USA headlining tour this August, Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM have announced Nick Cordle (SANCTUARY, ex-ARCH ENEMY, ex-ARSIS) as the fill-in guitarist for the trek. Due to his very busy work schedule, Ville Friman is not able to join the band on this run of dates, but fans can still expect the dual face-melting, guitar hero onslaught of Vanhala & Cordle every night!
Ville Friman comments: “My sincere apologies for not being able to take part in INSOMNIUM‘s busy touring schedule this year. I’ve tried my best to work my way around work and band and will be doing as many shows as possible. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to take part in this run. But worry not, Nick has kindly accepted to step into my shoes and will be shredding his way into your hearts every night. In the meanwhile, I’ll be concentrating on coming up with new INSOMNIUM tunes. Hope to see you soon in North America.”
Nick Cordle adds: “It’ll be an honor and a pleasure to sit in with INSOMNIUM on this run! They’re an awesome live band and I’ll try to hold up my end of that ‘face melting guitar hero onslaught’ as promised!”
Kicking off at the Heavy MTL festival on August 9th, the tour also features OMNIUM GATHERUM as direct support. Stay tuned for details about a special tour split 7″ with INSOMNIUM and OMNIUM GATHERUM coming soon! See below for all dates.
INSOMNIUM and OMNIUM GATHERUM tour dates:

Aug. 9 – Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL festival

Aug. 11 – New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre

Aug. 12 – West Springfield, VA – Empire

Aug. 13 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium

Aug. 14 – Albany, NY – Bogie’s

Aug. 15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar

Aug. 16 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge

Aug. 17 – Joliet, IL – Mojoes

Aug. 18 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry

Aug. 19 – Winnipeg, MB – Zoo Cabaret

Aug. 21 – Edmonton, AL – Pawn Shop

Aug. 22 – Calgary, AL – Nite Owl

Aug. 23 – Vancouver, BC – Red Room

Aug. 24 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon

Aug. 25 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre

Aug. 26 – San Francisco, CA – Thee Parkside

Aug. 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Whiskey a Go Go

Aug. 28 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick

Aug. 29 – Las Vegas, NV – LVCS

Aug. 30 – Tempe, AZ – Club Red

Sept. 1 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater

Sept. 3 – Louisville, KY – Expo Five

Sept. 4 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Ballroom

Sept. 5 – Toronto, ON – Garrison

Sept. 6 – Ottawa, ON – Ritual

Sept. 7 – Quebec, QC – Le Cercle
INSOMNIUM will be touring in support of their latest album, Shadows Of The Dying Sun. Born out of the melancholy, sorrow and dreariness of long winter nights, their 6th full-length is even more intense and dynamic than its predecessor (2011’s acclaimed masterpiece, One For Sorrow). With each new album, the quartet seems to bring their songwriting craftsmanship closer to perfection; Shadows Of The Dying Sun is irrefutably “…melodic death metal done right” (METAL INJECTION.net).

Comments Off on INSOMNIUM announces Nick Cordle (SANCTUARY, ex-ARCH ENEMY, ex-ARSIS) as fill-in guitarist on upcoming North American tour

Today YEAR OF THE GOAT invite us deeper into their second full length album The Unspeakable.

With that being said the band has just unveiled a brand new lyric video for the track “The Emma”.

Painfully beautiful guitar work and Hammond keyboard infusions build the foundation for Thomas Sabbathi`s forceful vocals and merge true 70s spirit with pure ritual for the masses. These Swedes indulge in occult doom rock full of blackened heart`s blood and elegant melody lines that will haunt your dreams!
The Unspeakable will be released worldwide on July 31st on Napalm Records!

Comments Off on YEAR OF THE GOAT Release First Lyric Video For Track “The Emma” Via Revolver

RUSSKAJA is in the house ? and that means no stone will be left unturned! Vienna`s sons and kings of turbo polk metal love catchy rhythms, badass riffing, punk spirit, Russian disco even country and ska have a place in the realm of RUSSKAJA. To get the full RUSSKAJA feeling and to see what you can expect from Peace, Love & Russian Rollcheck out a brand new album trailer!

Together with RUSSKAJA you can celebrate their upcoming album release of Peace, Love & Russian Roll, out on July 24th in Germany and worldwide on July 31st 2015 via Napalm Records!

Today Heavy Metal masters POWERWOLF celebrate a worldwide music video premiere or let’s say a POWERWOLF ceremony in the form of “Army Of The Night!” Come & celebrate the special music video premiere for Army Of The Night. This is definitely another tasty appetizer for the upcoming album Blessed & Possessed, but be prepared for simply not getting enough of POWERWOLF!The wolves are more than ready to enthrall not only with their brand new video, but also with their upcoming masterpiece Blessed & Possessed, which will now be released worldwide on July 17th on Napalm Records!

POWERWOLF are set to hit the road appearing at numerous summer festivals and headline shows on their upcoming Wolfsnächte-Tour 2015 later this year!
Make sure to get your tickets fast & be part of one of the most extensive Heavy Metal shows of the year?Wolfsnächte-Tour 2015:
supports: Orden Ogan + Xandria (*) bzw. Civil War (**)

After releasing their By Demons Denied 7″/digital single earlier this month, Ohio’s ENABLER is now ready reveal details for their upcoming full-length effort, Fail To Feel Safe! Due out August 7th worldwide via Century Media Records, Fail To Feel Safe was recorded at Silver Bullet Studios with engineer Chris Teti (THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE) and producer Greg Thomas (MISERY SIGNALS, SHAI HULUD), who also produced the band’s critically acclaimed album, All Hail The Void (2012). Mastering was handled by Bill Henderson at Azimuth Mastering.
Featuring artwork by Chris Smith (who also created designs for past ENABLER releases and merch), Fail To Feel Safe contains 13 tracks of the band’s signature hardcore-metal. See below for the album track-listing:Fail To Feel Safe track-listing:
1. Suffer to Survive

2. Fail to Feel Safe

3. By Demons Denied

4. Euphoric Revenge

5. Isolation Sickness

6. Sinister Drifter

7. Sail the Sea of Fire

8. Haunted

9. Drownage

10. Demolition Praise

11. Malady

12. La Furia

13. Sabotage Within
For a first preview of Fail To Feel Safe, be sure to check out the previously released single, “By Demons Denied” (an expanded version appeared on the 7″/digital single of the same name):

Comments Off on Enabler: reveals artwork and track-listing for new album, ‘Fail To Feel Safe’

Forged by drummer/vocalist/lyricist Rae Amitay, IMMORTAL BIRD was brought to fruition by cowriter and guitarist Evan Berry and bassist John Picillo. Their critically-adored debut EP, which Decibel crowned, “dark and twisting,” and Ghost Cult dubbed, “distinctly disturbing and beautifully harsh,” was released in December of 2013. Following several tours that took the band across the United States and into Canada, IMMORTAL BIRD entered the studio to record their debut full-length, Empress/Abscess.

Empress/Abscess will be released on July 14th, 2015 as a collaborative effort, with Broken Limbs Recordings taking charge with vinyl and cassettes, while IMMORTAL BIRD will be self-releasing the CD/digital version under the moniker Manatee Rampage Recordings.

(New York, N.Y.): Denmark’s ESSENCE are recent Spinefarm Records signees and they have revealed details about Prime, their label debut, sharing snippets of six songs from the release.

The Danes will release Prime on October 2.

Narrowing the gap between the poppy energy of The Offspring and the youthful vehemence of early Metallica and Slayer, the album, their third overall, is a Prime example of how a riveting combo of melodic and catchy yet wildly thrashing metal is done.

“No Sleep ‘Till Def,” the first instant grat track, lands on July 17, while the lead single and video for “Untouchable” will land in August.

Prime Track Listing (October 2, Spinefarm Records)

1. Refuse to Exist

2. Thunder Prayer

3. No Sleep ‘Till Def

4. Heart of Gold

5. Modern Heroes

6. Untouchable

7. Flawless

8. Prime

9. Watch it Burn

10. Triumph

With 100% analog production.

Comments Off on ESSENCE TO RELEASE “PRIME” ON OCTOBER 2 VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS

In celebration of the official release of their long-anticipated Only The Ruthless Remain full-length, which dropped via Relapse Records earlier this month to the riotous applause of metallers globally, today New York’s favorite death metal marauders, SKINLESS,untether the fiery new album art video for closing number, “Barbaric Proclivity.”Bedecked in the sadistic grooves and flawless musicianship for which the band has become notorious and adorned in the harrowing cover illustration of Ken Sarafin, Only The Ruthless Remain features SKINLESS‘ now-classic, late ’90s lineup of founding guitarist Noah Carpenter, vocalist Sherwood Webber, bassist Joe Keyser and drummer Bob Beaulac, with the addition of second guitarist, Dave Matthews, and marks the band’s first proper full-length offering in nearly a decade.

Reaping critical hails from media outlets both stateside and abroad, MetalSucks calls the outting, “a rewarding record that scratches the most persistent of death metal itches,” and a, “lean, zero-flaws death metal dynamo.” Apoch’s Metal Review crowns Only The Ruthless Remain, “one of the finest albums in SKINLESS’ repertoire,” further elaborating, “This isn’t just an album SKINLESS fans will lovingly embrace, but a creation that stands as one of the top offerings of 2015 within the death metal genre, proving the time away from the studio, as well as one another, has only strengthened them as a unit,” while Exclaim boasts, “With every crushing rhythm and breakneck riff, it’s as if SKINLESS never left, delivering everything you’d expect from the band… Only the Ruthless Remain is an exceptional, solid return from the very missed masters of death metal.” Heathen Harvest champions a record that’s, “well-written, meaty,” and, “just so fucking heavy.” In Your Speakers issues, “The seven tracks of Only The Ruthless Remain are each dynamic enough in themselves to form a comprehensive listening experience, yet maintain the traditional SKINLESS appeal; it’s really the whole package. SKINLESS is a band that can survive both a break-up and more than twenty years in death metal, and if you need a reminder why that is, Ruthless has more than enough to persuade you.” Adds Wonderbox Metal, “Memorable, impressive songs are the meaty main course in this sumptuous feast of rotten flesh. SKINLESS are heavy and they’ve always been exceptionally heavy. Death Metal by its very nature is a heavy form of music, but there’s heavy and then there’s HEAVY. SKINLESS own the latter.”

Following a pre-release stream of “Barbaric Proclivity,” via MetalSucks who gushed, “This track is straight-up bloodthirsty… It will grab you by your waist and squeeze your innards out of your mouth like so much toothpaste,” No Clean Singing spews forth its accompanying art clip as created by bassist Joe Keyser, noting, “It’s such a good song, a real meat-grinding death metal machine, but one that does more than prod the reptile part of your brain with savage riffs, skull-cracking drumbeats, horrific gutturals, and putrescent shrieks. It also couples those gruesome, grinding segments to irresistibly headband-inducing passages that alternately charge like a freight train and slam like massive, methodical hammer blows right on top of your fragile skull. But that’s still not all! Along with a lot of near-atonal riff murder, it also includes an atmospheric melodic interlude that heightens the song’s aura of morbid oppressiveness.”

Only The Ruthless Remain was captured by Tom Case at Edie Road Studio and Doomsday Bunker Studio, both in upstate New York, with vocals tracked by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Primitive Man etc.) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado, and the entire slab of audio violence mastered by Brad Boatright (Obituary, Nails, Integrity etc.) at Audiosiege in Portland, Oregon.

Only The Ruthless Remain is currently available on CD, LP and digitally via Relapse Records. Limited Relapse 25 Year Anniversary editions of the CD and LP are also be available.

Comments Off on SKINLESS: New York’s Favorite Death Metal Marauders Reveal New Album Art Video At No Clean Singing; Only The Ruthless Remain Out Now

“Mourn the last light, its fleeting passage; Mourn the breaking day; For every breath is written; And every end is fated in its beginnings…” — “Every End Is Fated In Its Beginning”

Australian atmospheric blackened sludge metal collective, HOPE DRONE, emerges from the depths with their Relapse Records debut, Cloak Of Ash, set for release this July. A rich, captivating, seven-song stroke of sonic brilliance, Cloak Of Ash was captured by Christopher Brownbill (Idylls, Throes, Coffin Birth) at Wavelength Studios and Underground Audio in Brisbane, Australia, mixed by Brownbill and HOPE DRONE at Wavelength Studios, and mastered by Brad Boatright (Yob, High On Fire, Integrity) at Audiosiege in Portland,Oregon. Uniting chest-cavingly poignant atmospheres with the uncompromising heaviness of a thousand tidal waves, Cloak Of Ash is dynamic and textured; nihilistic, doomed and earth shattering cloaked in the hopeless dissonance of a world gone rotten. Fans of Altar Of Plagues, Vattnet Viskar, Wolves In The Throne Room, Woods Of Desolation and Cult Of Luna pay heed.

Cloak Of Ash Track Listing:
1. Unending Grey
2. Riverbeds Hewn In Marrow
3. The World Inherited
4. The Chords That Thrum Beneath The Earth
5. Every End Is Fated In Its Beginning
6. He Waves Forever Shatter Upon Our Shores
7. Carried Apart By The Ceaseless Tides

HOPE DRONE was forged in 2011 and have since released one demo, From Mimas To Phoebe, in 2012, and their self-titled, Sanford Parker-mixed LP in 2013 which was called, “fresh, invigorating and captivating,” by Cvlt Nation, “a bleak style of black metal strongly indebted to the Cascadian variety and played with surprising maturity and aplomb,” and “a band to watch,” by Teeth Of The Divine, and, “possibly the most devastatingly nihilistic recording I’ve ever heard, both instrumentally andlyrically,” by AngryMetalGuy.

Legendary NYC death metal squadron, INTERNAL BLEEDING, is pleased to unveil the official new video for “Fabricating Bliss.” The crushing hymn comes by way of the band’s critically-lauded Imperiumfull-length released last year via Unique Leader Records.

Filmed by director Kirk Farrington and adapted from a concept developed by bassist Jay Liff and vocalist Keith DeVito, the video was shot in a chaotic style to match the frenzied mind of the video’s protagonist. The theme behind “Fabricating Bliss” revolves itself around the chaotic decent into the mind of someone who suffers from symphorophilia, a mental disorder in which sexual arousal is achieved by watching disasters and catastrophes. In this case, the disaster is a traffic accident.

“‘Fabricating Bliss’ is a great opening song for our Imperium album,” notes DeVito, “and we’re really glad that we got the chance to do a video for it. Kirk really helped our vision come to life. We hope our fans dig it.”

“Fabricating Bliss” is currently wreaking havoc courtesy of the chaos keepers at Metal Injection. Scroll on over to THIS LOCATION to view.

In related news, INTERNAL BLEEDING will be breaking the stage of the Hartford Deathfest next month as fest headliners. Set to commence at the Webster Underground, additional support will be provided by King Pariah, 60 Grit, Eyes Of Lilith and Martyrs Of Necromancy. Additional INTERNAL BLEEDING live incursions will be announced in the coming weeks.

INTERNAL BLEEDING:

7/18/2015 Webster Underground – Hartford, CT

Produced by the band and Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studio (Suffocation, Dehumanized, Mortal Decay) in Ronkonkoma, New York and engineered by Cincotta and Derek Boyer, Imperium serves asINTERNAL BLEEDING‘s most inexorable and enraged output to date delivering ten sonically pulverizing tracks including a trilogy featuring guest appearances by Suffocation’s Terrance Hobbs and Frank Mullen as well as former INTERNAL BLEEDING throat Frank Rini.

“There’s a charisma and personality in an album like Imperium and in a band like INTERNAL BLEEDING that is simply absent in so much of the brutal, technical or slamming death metal that’s put out there these days…This is an album worth going out of your way to hear,” – The Sludgelord

“…a massive slab of slamming death metal, but done with some actual intellect…” – Dead Rhetoric

“The band has taken great care to come back with an album that not only fulfills a gap in the band’s career but also looks back to the reasons why INTERNAL BLEEDING made such a mark in the death metal community to begin with.” – Selective Memory

“Play Imperium at full volume, then quickly get out of its way as it destroys everything nearby.” – Wonderbox Metal

“…a few moments of fun…mixed in with all the Dying Fetus-by-way-of-Cannibal Corpse sounds that you’d expect, delivered with the whiff of originators, not followers, adds up to a solid, and surprisingly fun, slammy USDM experience.” – Brave Words

“Imperium finds the band incorporating new layers into their sound, and features atmospheric passages complete with synths and acoustic guitar work…While maintaining their raw approach, the album is much more polished than their early releases, and the new elements provide an interesting departure from an otherwise predictable sound.” — Exclaim

“It’s inspiring to hear one of the bands that pioneered a genre almost a quarter of a century ago stretch it into new and refreshing territories.” – Angry Metal Guy

Ukrainian metal maniacs HELL:ON have released their 10th anniversary album ?Decade Of Hell? via Ferrrum Records.

Comments the label:Today we would like to present to you our new release, HELL:ON?s ?Decade of Hell?, a compilation dedicated to the 10th anniversary of this great Ukrainian band. The compilation gives the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the band and listen to how their sound has evolved from 2005 to 2015. This release consists of the best tracks from the band?s five studio albums, including two songs from an as yet not released album.

The album is available free of charge at band?s Bandcamp: https://hellonband.bandcamp.com/album/decade-of-hell-compilation-2015

During the past 10 years the band has made a long journey. They have released several albums, spent a lot of hours of hard working in the studio, and on tours. HELL:ON have played on different stages together with such inspiring bands as KREATOR, MEGADETH, VADER, RAGE, ARCH ENEMY and many others. In the course of time each band member has had an opportunity to work with such remarkable musicians as Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR), Marek Pajak (VADER), Andy La Roque (KING DIAMOND), Spiros Antoniou (SEPTIC FLESH), Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), and many others talented people. Known for their outstanding live performances, the band has visited many wonderful countries and places such as Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, the Netherlands. Keep to your work, guys, and stay metal!

Comments Off on HELL:ON: 10th Anniversary Album “Decade Of Hell” Out Now

Additional bands, films and special guests to be announced in the near future. You have been warned.

Comments Off on Philip H. Anselmo’s Housecore Horror Festival Adds Zombi, Poison Idea, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Corrosion Of Conformity Featuring Pepper Keenan And More To Its Expanding Lineup! Tickets On Sale Now + Film Submissions Now Open

BAT, the unholy supergroup featuring Municipal Waste guitarist Ryan Waste on bass/vocals, former DRI drummer Felix Griffin and Volture guitarist Nick Poulos, is very pleased to announce their recent addition to this year’s Gwar B-Q in Richmond, Virginia alongside the likes of The Descendents, Cro-Mags, Ghoul, Ringworm, Child Bite and more! The band’s Gwar B-Q appearance follows a headlining performance in Raleigh and serves as a precursor to a rare run of live abrasions through Richmond, Cleveland, Chicago and Pittsburgh in September.

Comments Waste of the oncoming onstage demolitions, “After finishing up our debut full length album on Hells Headbangers this summer, we in BAT are gearing up for a short run around some rad US festivals. The first being the Gwar B-Q in our hometown of Richmond, which is always wet and wild. Come September, we hit the road again to play in Cleveland at the Hell’s Headbash. We’re thrilled to play with our pals in High Spirits and Midnight on the opening night. Beforehand, we’re cramming in another hometown gig and hitting Chicago and Pittsburgh to round out the Labor Day weekend. Come rage with us and always beware of the BAT!”

The Virginia/Texas meta punk marauders in BAT released their Primitive Age EP last year on cassette via Tankcrimes and on 12″ vinyl via Hells Headbangers. Channeling the spirits of Venom, Hellhammer, Motörhead and Discharge, the EP features five filthy numbers of confrontational Kill ‘Em All angst and enough vocal venom to level a nation. Said Last Rites of the offering, “This nasty little beast is a crust-a-licious demo-nic hybrid of ugly gutter thrash with a vicious punk spirit and a dose of injected blackness. Jump back thirty years to an uncomfortable-yet-awesome three-way between Cronos, Lemmy, and Tom Warrior (or, whatever, Satanic Slaughter) – then BOOM, BAT! A close 21st-century equivalent would be Midnight, only with less sleazy Satanic debauchery and more of an all-encompassing generalized rebelliousness.”

In related news, Living Fast, the heavy metal talk show created by Waste continues to reap views from the headbanging public. The first episode featured John Gallagher of Raven while the second episode, divided into two parts, takes place during the Caulture Shock Tour with Cauldron and Waste’s heavy metal band, Volture where Waste visits with Michael Denner (Mercyful Fate) at Beat Bop Records, his second-hand vinyl shop located in the heart of Copenhagen. Recently unleashed, Canadian edition third episode features Dave Carlo and Mike Campagnolo of Razor and number one Anvil fan, Colin “Maddog” Brown.

Comments Off on BAT: Speed Metal Miscreants Added To Mammoth Gwar B-Q Lineup; Additional Live Abrasions Confirmed + New Living Fast Episode Available

In the wake of their fifth official full-length release, The God Rhythm, WISDOM IN CHAINS has just issued the first official video from the LP, as the band prepares for their headlining record release show for the record this weekend.

Surging with fourteen new tracks blending even more metallic intensity into their oi/punk-inspired hardcore, WISDOM IN CHAINS‘ The God Rhythm was released last week via Fast Break! Records. Loaded with nearly forty minutes of unyielding, groove-heavy action laden with inspiring lyrics and empowering gang chants, the LP was captured in bruising clarity, recorded by Len Carmichael at Trax East and Carmichael Sound, and the vocals recorded at Mountainside Studios by Rich Rescigno. The band’s new video was created for the track, “When We Were Young,” the song’s insightful look back at the early days of life blends an entertaining plotline with performance footage, filmed and produced by There’s Always Next Year Productions.

Shred to WISDOM IN CHAINS’ new “When We Were Young” video, featured on the Fast Break! Records home page HERE

WISDOM IN CHAINS will celebrate the release of The God Rhythm with hometown/area fans this Saturday, June 27th at Club Reverb in Reading, Pennsylvania, the record release show including an outdoor BBQ event, as well as live support from Strength For A Reason, Yesterday’s Youth and more. WISDOM IN CHAINS will also make their return to This Is Hardcore in Philadelphia on July 23rd joining the likes of the Misfits, The Exploited, the Cro-Mags, Negative Approach, Chokehold, Nails, All Out War, Bane, Biohazard and many others. August will see the band returning to Europe, confirmed to perform at Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic in early August with At The Gates, Cannibal Corpse, Killing Joke, Napalm Death, Nuclear Assault, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Triptykon and more, with a set of tour dates surrounding the festival to be announced in the coming days.

WISDOM IN CHAINS Tour Dates:

6/27/2015 Club Reverb – Reading, PA *record release show

7/23/2015 The Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA @ This Is Hardcore

8/05-08/2015 Fortress Josefov, CZ @ Brutal Assault

In an interview with WISDOM IN CHAINS early into the promotion of The God Rhythm, No End In Sight Zine writes, “It takes an unbelievable level of passion, commitment, and sacrifice to keep a hardcore band two-stepping, moshing, and screaming for as long as Wisdom In Chains has. They’ve endured everything from being robbed to becoming family men with full time jobs, yet they still bring more energy to their live shows than most bands half their ages, and they continue to release some of the catchiest hardcore albums you’ll ever lay your ears upon.” Stereokiller’s crushing 4.5/5 review of the album issues in part, “I’m not sure how many listens it took me, but I think I found my favorite WISDOM IN CHAINS song yet with ‘Best Of Me.’ Lyrically it speaks to me on a level that I haven’t experienced many times before. Maybe I’m just interpreting the words to fit my life, but that’s fine, and that’s what the beauty of what WISDOM IN CHAINS is. There are countless hardcore bands writing three chord songs about being mad, but how many are writing actual songs? Songs that conjure an emotion other than aggression?” Legends Arising praised the record as well, offering, “The God Rhythm is an incredibly forceful hardcore album, addressing all the themes you’d expect and some more. After more than a decade WISDOM IN CHAINS still improves and broadens, without ever compromising the scorching fury that made the band what it is today. Get. This. Record.” And About.com’s Heavy Metal sector declares, “Hardcore vocals combine with thrashy riffs and a punk attitude to craft an album that’s aggressive and potent. It’s also packed with memorable songs and shoutalong/singalong choruses.”

Comments Off on WISDOM IN CHAINS Releases “When We Were Young” Official Video; The God Rhythm Release Show Goes Down This Weekend

Available September 4th in North America on SPV/Steamhammer

EAT THE GUN have truly upped the ante: on September 4th in North America, the band will release their fifth studio album Howlinwood in digipak, LP and download formats. The band will once again collaborate with label partner SPV/Steamhammer

The musical reorientation on the 2013 release Stripped To The Bone was game-changing for EAT THE GUN and rewarded by the European music press with tremendous praise of the album and the band. Starting in 2015 the band was literally living in the studio, working nonstop to finish the songs for their much-anticipated new album. The band and label were once again able to bring in Stephan ‘Gudze’ Hinz (H-Blockx) as producer, who already in 2013 helped the band redefine their sound.

One thing’s for sure: captivating modern Alternative Rock, great songs and amazing live performances are on the menu for 2015. There isn’t just one place for good music Howlinwood is everywhere.

Track Listing Digipak

1. Howlinwood 03:40

2. Falling 03:22

3. How Does It Feel 03:57

4. Blood On Your Hands 02:44

5. Old Friend 03:30

6. Take It Away 04:07

7. Electric Life 03:03 (feat. John Konesky)

8. Unforgotten 03:45

9. Trouble Magnetic 03:18

10. The Drudge 03:30

11. Anger 02:56

Tracklisting LP

Side 1

1. Howlinwood 03:40

2. Falling 03:22

3. How Does It Feel 03:57

4. Blood On Your Hands 02:44

5. Old Friend 03:30

6. Take It Away 04:07

Side 2

1. Electric Life 03:03 (feat. John Konesky)

2. Unforgotten 03:45

3. Trouble Magnetic 03:18

4. The Drudge 03:30

5. Anger 02:56

EAT THE GUN – Live 2015

Festivals 2015

11.07. D-Bonn, Rockaue Festival

31.07. D-Anröchte, Big Day Out Festival

15.08. D-Brunsbüttel , Dith Rockt Festival

“Howlinwood” – Tour 2015

28.08. D-Münster , Sputnikhalle – Howlinwood Release Show!

24.09. D-Essen, Turock

25.09. D-Frankfurt, Nachtleben

01.10. D-Munich, Backstage

02.10. D-Geislingen, Seemühle

04.10. D-Berlin, Comet

15.10. D-Cologne, Underground

16.10. D-Osnabrück, Westwerk

17.10. D-Hamburg, Molotow

18.10. D-Hannover, Lux

30.10. D-Oldenburg, Cadillac

Comments Off on EAT THE GUN Release Cover Art and Track Listing For New Album Howlinwood

With the release of Arisen New Era, the forthcoming new full-length from French death metal unit and recent Unique Leader signees, KRONOS, now exactly one month away, Decibel Magazine offers up opening bruiser, “Infernal Abyss Sovereignty,” for communal devourment.

Featuring a continuous textual reference to the gods of ancient civilizations, KRONOS bludgeons ears with a heightened level of dynamics accomplished by only by a select number of bands. Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Potvin at Dome Studios (Lyzanxia, Arcania, Under The Abyss etc.) in (appropriately) Angers, France, the nine-track Arisen New Era is a smoldering display of technical death metal barbarity adorned in the distinctive cover art of Pierre Alain (Withering Soul, Silentlie, Cyrax etc.).

Elaborates the band, “Arisen New Era as a whole is about the fratricidal strife between Hades and Poseidon whose rivalry will lead them to an alliance against Zeus. ‘Infernal Abyss Sovereignty’ starts the album and introduce the story… Feeling aggrieved by the sharing of the world with his two brothers, Poseidon feels it’s time to awake some fratricidal quarrels.” Decibel calls it, “Brutal, yet

And if you missed it, delight in the audio carnage of first teaser track, “Klymenos Underwrath,” courtesy of No Clean Singing at THIS LOCATION.

A name derived from the Greek god of time, Kronos (or Cronus), father of Zeus, KRONOS was forged over fifteen years ago in a small town in the Northeastern province of Alsace-Lorraine and quickly established a name for themselves based solely on their musical unity of harmony and violence. Lauded in the past for their, “diversified guitar work… intricate drum patterns… wicked guitar solos and a good number of catchy yet non-compromising hooks,” by Metal Crypt, and their knack for packing, “a metric ton of creativity into each song… you will barely hear the same riff twice,” by Sputnik Music, on their fourth full-length KRONOS continues to uphold their signature brand of meticulously arranged and conceptually stirring brutality.

“…carnage incarnate – an overpowering onslaught of rapid-fire drum and bass propulsion matched with flurries of jolting riffs and boiling guitar solos and accompanied by a fusillade of bestial growls. And yes, it includes an exotic Eastern melody that gives the song character and that will stay with you.” – No Clean Singing on first single, “Klymenos Underwrath”

“…the stunning artwork adorning the cover of Arisen New Eraspeaks to the epic scale KRONOS is trying to achieve, and if ‘Klymenos Underwrath’ is any indication, I’d say that they’re onto something special. Think the bludgeoning groove of Benighted dipped in the Ancient Roman melodies of

Son Of Aurelius. It strikes the perfect balance between God of War-style sonic violence and epic melodies, and serves as the perfect backdrop for the Greek Mythology themes which permeate KRONOS’ music.” – Metal Injection on first single, “Klymenos Underwrath”

Seattle-based EARTH has booked a new East Coast US tour through the Summer months, as the outfit continues to take the slow motion magnificence of their lauded tenth album, Primitive And Deadly, to the masses.

EARTH has booked a run of Northwestern performances in Portland, Olympia and Seattle on July 18th, 19th and 22nd, respectively, which begins with a set at Project Pabst Presents. A month later, EARTH will traverse the continent to begin their new East Coast tour, which begins in Providence, Rhode Island on August 22nd with a set at the city-wide tribute to H.P. Lovecraft at the Necronomicon Convention. From there, the band tours down the entire East Coast and across the Midwest with two-and-a-half weeks of shows with support from Holy Sons between August 23rd and September 9th. One of the highlights of the tour includes a New York City show on August 26th with opening support from Marc Ribot and Ikue Mori performing a live score to Jennifer Reeves’ Shadows Choose Their Horrors. The tour comes to a close on September 11th, with EARTH‘s performance at the massive Ellnora Guitar Festival in Urbana, Illinois. Additionally, Brett Netson (Built To Spill, Brett Netson And Snakes), who performed on the Primitive And Deadly LP, will join the band on second guitar from August 22nd through 28th.

From the hopeless abyss of Richmond, VA comes U.S. BASTARDS, a punk/speedrock/heavy metal trio formed in 2007 and fronted by GWAR’s lead guitarist Brent Purgason (aka Pustulus Maximus) along with John Kelly (Arbiter of Conceit) and Jeremy Dutra (Car Thief). The Bastards continue what bands like ZEKE, MOTORHEAD and PETER PAN SPEEDROCK started. Stacks of Marshalls driven by Les Pauls to blast your brains out of your ears. These dudes are loud and pissed… about what you may ask? The answer is ‘everything’. After selling their souls to Satan for $50 and a half a pack of smokes they are coming to your town to prove rock and roll is not dead. Yet.

The “Stop Resisting Tour” begins July 4th in Winston Salem, NC and they’re out on the road to get the word out for their new full length LP coming soon from Primitive Ways Records.

Stalk Us

Exploring Medical Careers

Find medical careers with outstanding employment opportunities over the next several years. Then learn the medical degrees required, and what colleges offer those degrees. Visit Exploring Medical Careers and plan your future.